Sunwing pilot pleads guilty to having control of plane while impaired

Calling it a “crime of dramatic proportion”, the Crown is calling for a one year jail sentence for a 37 year old pilot who pleaded guilty in a Calgary courtroom Tuesday of having care and control of an aircraft while impaired.

In December, 37 year old Miroslav Gronych was taken off a Sunwing flight before it left Calgary for Regina with another stop planned in Winnipeg before going to Cancun.

Court heard Gronych had a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit when he was tested hours after being removed from the plane when he was discovered slumped over in the cockpit.

Court also heard Gronych had consumed a full bottle of vodka before leaving his room at an airport hotel to go to the airport.

Prosecutor Rose Greenwood says a severe breach of trust occurred and the lives of over 100 people were put in jeopardy.